SECTION VIII.—Experimental Science.

That which is sent us at the present
moment is the most useful because it is intended especially for us.

We can only be well instructed by the words which
God utters expressly for us. No one becomes learned in the science of God
either by the reading of books, or by the inquisitive investigation of
history. The science that is acquired by such means is vain and confused,
producing much pride. That which instructs us is what happens from one
moment to another producing in us that experimental science which Jesus
Christ Himself willed to acquire before instructing others. In fact this
was the only science in which He could grow, according to the expression
of the holy Gospel; because being God there was no degree of speculative
science which He did not possess. Therefore if this experimental science
was useful to the word incarnate Himself, to us it is absolutely
necessary if we wish to touch the hearts of those whom God sends to
us. It is impossible perfectly to understand anything that experience
has not taught us, by suffering or by action. This is the school of the
Holy Spirit who in this way speaks life-giving words to the soul, and
those which He speaks to us through others come from the same source.

Reading and seeing become fruitful and
possess virtue and light only by the acquisition of this divine science,
otherwise they are like dough to which leaven is necessary, and the salt
of experience to season it. And since without this salt, we have only
vague ideas to act upon, we are like visionaries, who, though knowing
the roads that lead to all the towns, yet lose their way going to their
own house.

We must listen to God from moment to moment to
become learned in the theology of virtue which is entirely practical
and experimental. Do not attend therefore to what is said to others,
but listen to that which is said to you and for you; there will be enough
to exercise your faith because this interior language of God exercises,
purifies, and increases it by its very obscurity.